Evanston, IL – Messiah wrestling returned to action this week with five Falcons competing across two separate tournaments. The full group of Falcons will return to action at the North-South Duals next weekend.
Lucas Malmberg provided the highlight for Messiah as he became the first Falcon ever to land on the podium at the prestigious Midlands Championships. The defending Division III National Champion at 125 finished sixth overall. Below is a video of Malmberg being interviewed after his fall over Christian Moody of Division 1 Oklahoma (video courtesy of TrackWrestling.com).
See below for a recap of the Falcons' performances at both the Midlands Championships and Lock Haven Invitational.
Midlands Championships (Evanston, Ill.)
125 –
Lucas Malmberg
Malmberg, the No. 1-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division III, was seeded eighth in the 125-pound weight class and received a bye through the opening round. In his first bout he earned a 10-1 major decision over Jake Silzer of Division I Illinois. Silzer, a freshman, was a three-time Illinois Class 3A placer.
In the Third Round Malmberg earned an 11-5 decision over a familiar foe, Zac Denny of UW-Whitewater. Denny is ranked No. 2 in Division III behind Malmberg, and last year they met in the opening round of the NCAA Championships; Malmberg won that battle 9-6 and eventually finished as the National Championship, while Denny went on to finish as an All-American (fourth place).
Malmberg's run ended in the Quarterfinal when he faced No. 1-ranked wrestler in Division I and last year's NCAA National Runner-Up, Thomas Gilman of Iowa. Gilman took a 23-7 tech fall, but Malmberg recovered int the consolation with a 7-3 decision over Paul Bianchi of Division I North Dakota State. Bianchi, a freshman, was a three-time Wisconsin State Champion in high school and went 104-0 across his junior and senior seasons.
Things only got better from there for Messiah's top wrestler as he then pinned Christian Moody of Division I Oklahoma at 6:28. Moody, a redshirt freshman, was two-time Oklahoma Class 5A State Champion and was at point the No. 11-ranked high school wrestler in the nation.
The wrestleback wins guaranteed Malmberg a top-six finish, and that's where he finished after losses to Sebastian Rivera of Division 1 Northwestern (15-3 major) and Shakur Laney of Division 1 Ohio (9-3 decision). Rivera, a freshman, was a two-time place winner in New Jersey, and Shakur, a sophomore, was an NCAA Qualifer for the Bobcats last season.
165 –
Larry Cannon
Cannon, the No. 6-ranked wrestler in Division III, stated the day with a narrow 3-2 loss to Seldon Wright of Division I Old Dominion University. Wright, a sophomore, entered the day as the No. 14-ranked wrestler in Division I and collected 19 wins last season.
In his first wrestleback, Cannon earned a 4-2 decision over redshirt freshman Logan Parks of Division I Central Michigan. Parks was off to a solid start in his career after finishing as the Michgan State Runner-Up two years ago.
Cannon continued his winning ways in his next bout with a 6-4 decision over Robbie King of Franklin & Marshall. A redshirt senior, King won 21 matches last season.
In his next bout Cannon lost to Division I South Dakota State's Luke Zilverberg. The Jackrabbits' junior and 22-win wrestler last year took a 4-2 decision over Cannon.
174 –
Ben Swarr
Like his teammate Malmberg, Swarr entered today's bouts as the No. 1 wrestler in his weight class for Division III. In his first match Swarr earned a 9-3 win over sophomore Cameron Jacobsen of Division I Pittsburgh. Jacobsen joined the Panthers two seasons ago after completing an impressive high school career that included two PIAA AAA State Qualifications and three District 8 Championships.
In the Second Round Swarr took a 6-1 loss to David Kocer of Division I South Dakota. Last season Kocer was an NCAA Qualifier for the Big 12 Jackrabbits, and he also led the team with 30 wins.
In his first wrestleback Swarr dropped a hard-fought 6-5 decision to Christian Brucki of Division I Central Michigan. Brucki, a junior, went 30-6 last season for the Chippewas.
Lock Haven Invitational (Lock Haven, Pa.)
133 –
Hunter Harris
Harris received a bye into the Second Round where he dropped an 8-6 decision to redshirt freshman Jaquan Loney of Division I Old Dominion. A former 100-win wrestler in the state of Florida, Loney finished in third place at his State Championships in 2015.
In his first wrestleback, Harris earned an 11-5 decision over redshirt freshman Keanan Bottorf of Division I Lock Haven. He then dropped a 16-0 tech fall to Matt Seitz of Division I Buffalo.
184 –
Derek Beitz
Beitz received a bye into the Second Round where he earned a fall (3:44) over senior Andrew Thomas of Division I George Mason. Beitz then took a dominating 16-1 tech fall over junior Jerald Spohn of Division I Kent State, a strong victory considering Spohn took second at the Ohio Intercollegiate Open earlier this season.
In the Semifinal Beitz dropped a narrow 3-1 decision to Corey Hazel of Division I Lock Haven. Hazel went on to the win the bracket and improved his season record to 19-2.
In the wrestle back Beitz lost by way of a 13-0 major decision to junior Jack Wedholm of Division I Army.
